US20050193892A1 - Apparatus, system and method for retaining beverage brewing substance - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a beverage brewer for brewing a beverage using a beverage brewing substance pod. The pod may include substances such as coffee for producing a desired brewed beverage. A pod holder, having at least one wall, defining a cavity in the pod holder for retaining the pod for brewing. Water is dispensed into the pod and drained through a drain in the pod holder. The pod holder is removable from the brewer for placing a pod therein. The pod holder is slideably inserted into the brewer for brewing. One or more ramps are provided on the brewer for engagement with corresponding ramps on the pod holder for positioning the holder relative to the sprayhead for infusing the pod retained in the holder. Water is introduced to the pod without piercing the pod. Legs are provided on a portion of the pod holder for positioning the pod holder in an upright position when removed from the brewer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE
• This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/542,433, filed Feb. 6, 2004.
BACKGROUND
• A variety of brewing apparatus have been developed to combine heated water with a brewing substance such as ground coffee or tea material in order to infuse the material and produce a brewed beverage. There are many ways to combine the water with the brewing substance. One way is to place the substance in a filter device such as a disposable filter paper and place the filter paper and brewing substance in a brewing funnel or basket. Water is mixed with the brewing substance in the filter thereby allowing the brewed substance to filter through the paper leaving the saturated brewing substance in the filter paper. The saturated substance and used filter paper can be thrown away.
• Another way of brewing beverage is to encapsulate the brewing substance in a filter material. The brewing substance in the filter material provides a convenient package for handling a predetermined quantity of brewing substance. The filter material provides a package or container for the brewing substance. This package allows the brewing substance to be handled prior to brewing and after brewing without complication or mess.
• Such brewing substances pre-packaged in filter material are referred to as “pods” or “sachets.” Pods can be compressed during packaging in the filter material or left in a generally loose condition. Pods generally have a circular shape with a generally flattened configuration often appearing as a disc or puck. Pods generally range in a size from approximately 45-60 mm and contain approximately 9-10 grams of brewing substance. A typical pod may produce approximately 8 ounces of brewed beverage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The organization and manner of the structure and function of the invention, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, may be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a brewer for producing a brewed beverage;
• FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial fragmentary cross-sectional side elevational view taken along line2-2 inFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a view similar to that as shown inFIG. 2 in which a substance holder has been removed from the brewer;
• FIG. 4 is a view of the substance holder removed from the brewer;
• FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the substance holder;
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the substance holder as shown in the figures;
• FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of another form of the substance holder;
• FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the substance holder as shown inFIG. 7;
• FIG. 9 is a partial fragmentary cross-sectional view of the substance holder as show inFIGS. 7 and 8 including a funnel attached thereto; and
• FIG. 10 is bottom view of the cross-section as show inFIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• While the present disclosure may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, embodiments with the understanding that the present description is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.
• As shown inFIG. 1, a brewer20 includes abody22, abase24 and anupper portion26. Theupper portion26 is configured to be positioned above a container such as a cup28 for dispensing beverage into the cup28. It should be noted that many different configurations of the brewer20 can be developed to achieve the structure and function of the apparatus, system and method as described in this disclosure. For example, thebody22,base24 andupper portion26 could be configured in different shapes and different dimensions while still positioning theupper portion26 relative to a cup to dispense beverage into the cup28.
• Terms including beverage, beverage making and brewing as used herein are intended to be broadly defined as including but not limited to the brewing of coffee, tea and any other brewed beverage. This broad interpretation is also intended to include, but is not limited to any process of infusing, steeping, reconstituting, diluting, dissolving, saturating or passing a liquid through or otherwise mixing or combining a beverage substance with a liquid such as water without a limitation to the temperature of such liquid unless specified. This broad interpretation is also intended to include, but is not limited to beverage substances such as ground coffee, tea, liquid beverage concentrate, powdered beverage concentrate, freeze dried coffee or other beverage concentrates, to obtain a desired beverage or other food.
• While a “pod” is described herein, it is envisioned that any form of beverage brewing substance device, holder, filter structure or other substance delivery media or vehicle may be used. The present disclosure will also include us of the structures and functions with loose brewing substance such as might be used in a loose substance holder. It is envisioned that the present apparatus, system and method of operation could be utilized with other concentrates such as freeze dried concentrates, gel, liquid, powder or any other form of concentrate which will operate with the disclosed apparatus, system and method as well as equivalents thereof and any modifications which might be required to modify the apparatus, system and method to be used with such other substances, if necessary.
• Some portions or structures of the brewer20 may not have been illustrated in detail in the drawings in the interest of clarity in this disclosure. For example, even though the brewer includes awater delivery system29 including a water reservoir and water dispensing components, these structures are not explicitly illustrated herein subject to incorporation by reference from other related applications noted herein. The water reservoir and water dispensing components are shown diagrammatically as component45 coupled to asprayhead40 for delivering water to theholder30. A variety of configurations for delivering water to theholder30 can be devised and will be appreciated to be included in the present disclosure. The specific embodiment, while not being shown, can include many forms such as a reservoir which provides water to a heating area, a pressurized line feeding water directly to a reservoir, a rapid heating device which receives water from an unheated reservoir or pressurized line as well as any other variety of configurations now available or hereafter designed in combination with the holder and other structures disclosed herein. The type of water delivery system45 and other components delivering water to the sprayhead should not limit the scope of this disclosure and appended claims and should be given broad interpretation.
• Further details of the configuration and operation of the single-serving brewer20 can be found in related provisional applications entitled “Apparatus, System and Method for Infusing a Pre-Packaged Pod (Atty. Docket No. 27726-95094) filed Feb. 9, 2004 U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/543,370, “Apparatus System and Method for Retaining Beverage Brewing Substance” (Atty. Docket No. 27726-95093) filed Feb. 6, 2004 Provisional Application No. 60/542,433, and “Pod Brewer Design” (Atty. Docket No. 27726-95521) filed Feb. 10, 2004, U.S. Provisional Application No. 29/199,168. Additional information related to a spray head system and method for delivering water to the brewing assembly of the single-serving brewer20 can be found in U.S. Provisional Application entitled “Water Delivery System, Method and Apparatus” (Atty. Docket No. 27726-95058) filed Nov. 7, 2003, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/518 and U.S. Patent application entitled “System, Method, and Apparatus for Heating Water” (Atty. Docket No. 27726-96966) filed Nov. 8, 2004, U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/983,446. Additional information related to beverage making apparatus which uses loose coffee and related devices and methods of use can be found in U.S. Provisional Application entitled “A Beverage Making Apparatus and Method Using Loose Beverage Substances” (Attorney Docket No. 27726-95865) filed Apr. 2, 2004, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/560,033. Information about a pod holder with a removable insert can be found in U.S. Provisional Application entitled “Pod Holder with Removable Insert” (Attorney Docket No. 27726-96741) filed May 28, 2004, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/575,235. Information about a beverage making apparatus which uses loose coffee and related devices and methods of use can be found in US Provisional Application entitled “A Beverage Making Apparatus and Method Using Loose Beverage Substance” (Attorney Docket No. 27726-97275) filed Sep. 1, 2004, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/606,233. Each of the above-referenced applications and the materials set forth therein is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• FIG. 2 shows an enlarged portion of theupper portion26 taken along cross-sectional line2-2 inFIG. 1. InFIG. 2, asubstance holder30 is shown attached to amounting portion32 of theupper portion26. In the interest of simplicity and clarity the entirety of the cross section of the brewer is not shown and the emphasis is provided for theholder30 and related structures. Theholder30 is also shown inFIGS. 4, 5 and6 is a device acting as a drawer to retain brewing substance such as a pod51 (shown in a fragmentary view to avoid obstructing other parts) in a predetermined position in the brewer20 for brewing. Theholder30 includes awall33 which defines acavity34 therein. With further reference toFIGS. 4 and 5 thewall33 defines anupper rim36. The upper rim defines anentry opening38 andcorresponding flanges53 extending outwardly away from theholder30.
• In the installed position as shown inFIG. 2 theholder30 is positioned with the entry opening38 in position to receive water for brewing. The structure of theentry opening38 is symmetric such that corresponding retainingstructures57 are on both sides of the entry opening38 for supporting theholder38 by theflanges53 thereof. Theentry opening38 andcavity34 are positioned below asprayhead40.Water46 is provided by awater delivery system29 and enters a sprayhead area42 defined by thesprayhead40. Water in the sprayhead area42 flows through theholes44 through the entry opening and into thecavity34. The water flows through the pod without the use of piercing structures as used in other brewers. The use of piercing structures in other brewers complicates the brewer and can result in added work cleaning the structures in addition to possibly tearing the pod and breaching containment of the spent brewing substance. Once the water has been dispensed into the area it mixes with the substance retained in thecavity34 for producing a desired beverage. The beverage drains through adrain hole50 for dispensing into the cup28. It should be noted that a variety of sprayhead configurations or other structures and systems for delivering water to the cavity could be used with the disclosed brewer20.
• When theholder30 is inserted into theupper portion26 it is engaged with a mountingportion32 which positions theholder30 and its contents, the brewing substance in proximity to thesprayhead40 for brewing. As noted above the structure of theentry opening38 is symmetric such that corresponding retainingstructures57 are on both sides of the entry opening38 for supporting theholder38 by theflanges53 thereof. With reference toFIGS. 3 and 6, an embodiment of the mountingportion32 shown includes at least oneramp52 which cooperates with the correspondingflanges53 andramp55 carried on theholder30. As shown inFIG. 3, a series of first retaining54 and second retaining52 ramps are provided. Aflat area56 is provided between theramps52,54. In this embodiment the retaining structures include theramps52,54 and flat56. Additionally, the mountingportion32 may include arelease assembly60 as will be described in greater detail herein below. As noted above, the structure of theentry opening38 is symmetric such that corresponding retainingstructures57 are on both sides of the entry opening38 for supporting theholder38 by theflanges53 thereof. Theholder30 is similarly symmetric withramps55 andflanges53 on both sides of the holder for engagingcorresponding ramps52,54 and flat56 on opposing sides of theopening38.
• The first and second brewer ramps52,54 andcorresponding holder ramp55 on theholder30 are designed to facilitate engagement and disengagement of theholder30 relative to theupper portion26 and thesprayhead40. As previously mentioned, water is delivered from thesprayhead40 to theholder30. With this in mind, agasket62 or other seal structure is provided generally radially of the sprayhead between theupper portion26 and theholder30 to prevent the passage of water from between the structures. This is useful to force or flow all of the water for brewing through theholder30 and the brewing substance contained in theholder30.
• As shown inFIG. 3, thegasket62 is a self expanding gasket of known construction. When theholder30 is positioned in the mountingportion32 thegasket62 positions alip64 of the gasket against therim36 with anannular groove66 communicating with thecavity34 to receive brewing water therein and to provide a seal between theholder30 and anupper surface39 theupper portion26.
• Additionally, aswater46 is dispensed into thecavity34 pressure inside theholder cavity34 caused by the flow of heated water into the holder fills anannular recess66 defined by thegasket62. The increased pressure in the annular recess increases the sealing function of thelip64 against therim36.
• With reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, theholder30 is configured with afloor70 positioned in a lower portion of theholder30 bounded by thewall33. In one embodiment, one or more spaced apart walls orribs72 project upwardly from the floor towards thecavity34. Asupport structure73 is shown in the form of grating73 or open mesh structure is provided overlying theribs72. A variety of embodiments can be configured to support a pod or charge of brewing substance above the drain hole and provide for passage of beverage from the pod through the support structure.
• With further reference toFIG. 5, theribs72 define large recessedareas76 between neighboringribs72. In fact, the surface area covered by therecesses76 is significantly greater than the area covered by theribs72. Theribs72 as shown generally supportopen mesh73 and the pod positioned thereabove. In another form, theopen mesh73 may be eliminated resulting in the pod being retained on the top edges of theribs72 above and not contacting thefloor70. In either of these or other embodiments, the large surface areas facilitate pooling and mixing of the beverage as it drains into thedrain50. The pooling and mixing of the beverage as it is being dispensed facilitates thorough mixing or blending of the flavors prior to dispensing into the cup thereby increasing the uniformity and consistency of the final beverage. Generally, theribs72 are narrow structures defining the relatively largeopen areas76 to allow drainage of the beverage into thedrain hole74.
• Thesupport structure73 shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 is in the form of open mesh such as woven or non-woven metal or non-metallic strands. Other forms of the mesh or grating and other materials are contemplated by this disclosure. Theopen mesh73 is either fixedly attached to the inside surface of the holder extending from the wall or removably attached. If fixed to the inside surface, the grating may be in-molded, ultrasonically welded, friction welded, adhesively attached, mechanically fastener or otherwise attached to the holder. If removably attached, a gasket or retainingring75 may be provided to engage the inside surface, a corresponding groove or attached underneath lugs77. The open mesh defines generally vertically aligned openings further, generally uniformly supporting the pod above thefloor70 of theholder30. The beverage produced from the pod flows generally vertically through the openings and into theopen recesses76 defined between the neighboringwalls72.
• Anoutlet opening74 is positioned in a lower portion of thefloor70 to facilitate the draining of liquid from thecavity34. A pod placed in thecavity34 will receivewater46 in an upper portion of the pod positioned in close proximity to theentry opening38. Water flowing through the pod and infusing the substance will drain under some degree of pressure and gravity through theopen mesh73, along to theopen areas76 into a lower portion of the cavity between theribs72 and towards thedrain50. Brewed beverage will drain from thepod holder30 to thedrain50 and out through theoutlet opening74.
• Generally, theholder30 is a container defining thecavity34 in which a pod can be inserted for preparing coffee or other brewer beverages such as tea. In theholder30 the bottom orfloor70 drains to thedrain50 with one ormore spaces76 defined between the bottom of a pod and the surface of thefloor70. Thesupport structure73 is provided to help suspend the pod above thefloor70. Thesupport structure73 is foraminous or otherwise allows the passage of liquid through it but generally resists the passage of the pod or portions thereof or brewing substance through the openings or passages in the support structure.
• In one embodiment this arrangement includes ribs withrecesses76 between neighboring ribs having a lowest point is formed by thefloor70 of theholder30 providing an open area that drains to thedrain50. However, theserecesses76 are so wide that they define the bottom and are not merely grooves or channels formed in the bottom. The surface area covered by therecesses76 is generally greater than the surface area covered by theribs72.Additional ribs72 may be added to provide additional, different support or more uniform support. Alternatively, structures other than or in addition to theribs72 may be provided underneath the support structure oropen mesh73 or underneath the pod without the use of the mesh.
• With reference toFIGS. 2, 3 and6, theholder30 is initially positioned with aleading end80 positioned for insertion into amouth82 of theupper portion26. With reference toFIG. 3, as the leadingend80 is advanced into themouth82 it initially encounters afirst ramp54. Thefirst ramp54 helps to elevate theholder30 without engaging any surfaces of theholder30 against thelip64 of thegasket62. By not engaging the gasket during the insertion of theholder30, wear of thegasket62 can be reduced. Continued advancement of theholder30 into themouth82 results in encountering aflat area56. The flat area orflat ramp area56 allows theholder30 to be advanced inwardly to position therim36 in closer linear proximity to thegasket62. Continued advancement of theholder30 inwardly into themouth32 results in encountering asecond ramp52. Thesecond ramp52 facilitates upward positioning of theholder30 in preparation for engaging thegasket62 with therim36 of theholder30. The upper flat86 helps to retain thelip64 of thegasket62 securely against therim36. As will be described in greater detail below, a release assembly or lockingassembly60 helps to retain theholder30 in the desired position in themouth82 to facilitate brewing with theholder30 and its brewing substance contents.
• When the release or lockassembly60 is disengaged, theholder30 is allowed to advance outwardly from themouth82. As theholder30 moves from out of themouth82 it first encounters thesecond ramp52. The generally greater length and slop of the second ramp compared to the first ramp facilitates a rapid disengaging drop of the holder from the gasket. This initial relatively rapid disengagement or drop minimizes the amount of rubbing or scrapping of the holder against the gasket during the disengagement process. The holder descends from engagement proximate to the sprayhead until it reaches the generallyflat area56 or interface between the two slopped areas. In this position, the user can decide to further disengage the holder or maintain the holder in the position for other purposes such as preparing a new pod for brewing. When desired, the user can continue to extract the holder from themouth32, remove the spent pod and insert a new pod.
• As mentioned above, in at least one embodiment a locking andrelease assembly60 is provided. The assembly includes a release button or mechanism90 apin92 which is selectively engageable with theholder30 and a linkage94 coupled to therelease button90 and thepin92. In this configuration, operation of therelease button90 causes operation of the linkage94 further operating on thepin92. Operation of the button therefore causes operation of the pin to release the pin from theholder30.
• With reference toFIGS. 2, 4 and5 the pod holder includes apin ramp96 and apin cavity98. As thepod holder30 is advanced into themouth82 one of the final operations during the final stroke of theholder30 into themouth82 is for aleading edge100 of thepin92 to ride up on thepin ramp96. When thepin cavity98 is encountered thepin92 drops into thecavity98 thereby causing engagement of the lockingassembly60 with thepod holder30.
• Thelocking mechanism60 includes a biasing device such as aspring102 to positively bias thepin92 in a down or cavity engaging position. By using thebiasing device102 the pin will positively engage and retain thecavity98 by default. Operation of thebutton90 is used to overcome the biasing force of thespring102. Thebutton90 includes anarm104 with ahead106 engaging asocket108 of the linkage. The linkage94 is carried on apost108 to facilitate pivoting movement of the linkage. Asecond end110 of thelinkage60 includes aloss motion slot112 for engagement with apin post114. Inward depression of thebutton90 imposes force through thearm104 to thehead106 engaged in thesocket108. The curved surfaces of the head andsocket106,108 facilitate some degree of pivoting or sliding movement between these components to promote pivotal rotation of thelinkage60 about thepost108. When a sufficient force is imposed on the button to overcome the positive biasing force of thespring102 the linkage is slightly rotated to lift upwardly on the pin by means of the pin posts114 engaged in the lostmotion opening112.
• Thebutton90 is conveniently positioned above afront edge116 of thepod holder30. An underlying portion of thepod holder30 includes ahand grip118. Thegrip118 is positioned relative to thebutton90 to facilitate a single hand operation of thepod holder30. In other words, multiple hands are not needed in order to open the pod holder and return the pod holder to the brewer.
• Asensor120 is provided coupled to acontroller122. Thesensor120 is generally carried on the brewer. The sensor is coupled to abrewer controller122 and operates to detect the engagement of thepod holder30 in themouth82. As illustrated, thesensor120 is positioned in the back of the mouth. Other locations are anticipated and fully included within the scope of this disclosure. In one embodiment, thesensor120 is a contact switch. Thecontroller122 is also coupled to thewater delivery system29 for selectively monitoring and controlling thewater delivery system29.
• Examples of the use of thesensor120 include locking out the brewer to prevent brewing unless brewing is actually desired. In use, if the user selects thebrew button126 to activate the brewer shown generally in this embodiment on thebase24. If thesensor120 in the form of a switch is open the system will control thewater delivery system29 to lock out and prevent dispensing of water. Additional indicia such as a visual, audio or any other form of sensory feedback can be provided so as to indicate that a pod must be inserted into theholder30. If the user attempts to remove theholder30 during a brew cycle the brew cycle will be stopped by operation of the controller ceasing to dispensewater46. Additionally, if at the end of a brewing cycle thesensor120 does not sense the removal of the holder the system is locked out. In other words, in this condition the machine is asking for a fresh pod.
• FIGS. 7-10 show another form of thepod holder30a. In this embodiment generally vertically alignedopenings130, generally analogous to the mesh openings described above are provided in thepod holder30a.FIG. 7 shows a top perspective view whileFIG. 8 shows a bottom perspective view.FIGS. 9 and 10 show partial fragmentary cross sectional view of the holder engaged with a brewer and also including afunnel structure132 attached to a bottom side of the holder. The funnel collects and blends the beverage draining through the openings of the holder. The funnel may be configured for removal and cleaning.
• The structure of the brewer20 includes thebody22 having theupper portion26 defining a mountingportion32. The mountingportion32 defines the entry opening38 with retainingstructures57 positioned on generally opposite sides ofentry opening38. Theholder30 is constructed with corresponding retaining structures in the form offlanges53 and ramps55 for cooperatively engagingcorresponding ramps54,52 and flat56 on the corresponding sides of theentry opening38.
• Theholder30 is removed from the mountingportion32 by pressing thebutton90 which operates therelease assembly60. Disengagement of thepin92 from thecavity98 allows theholder30 to be removed from the brewer. Disengagement of therelease assembly60 allows theholder30 to slide downwardly away from thesprayhead40 to disengage the62 from the holder. The downward movement occurs as a result oframp55 of theholder30 sliding along correspondingramp52 of the brewer. When theflange53 of theholder30 contacts flat56, theholder30 may be suspended in this position. The user can grip thefront edge116 and the correspondingopen area119 in thehand grip118 to remove theholder30 from the brewer.
• When theholder30 is removed from the brewer it can be placed on a flat surface such as a counter top without tipping over.Legs121 are provided extending downwardly from theholder30 to provide leveling support of the holder. Additionally, the legs can be sized in dimension to suspend thenozzle74 off the corresponding surface to prevent contamination, dripping or other beneficial features. Additionally this allows the user to remove the pod123 from thecavity34 without having to hold theholder30. Thelegs121 also allow the holder to be stored in a convenient location without tipping over. Thelegs121 are sized and dimensioned so as to not interfere with the operation of the holder in the brewer. While threelegs121 are shown in the illustrations, fewer or more legs may be used as well as an entire single leg forming a wall or other structure to provide the leveling characteristics as shown and described herein.
• While embodiments have been illustrated and described in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustrations and descriptions are considered to be exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. The applicant has provided description and figures which are intended as an illustration of certain embodiments of the disclosure, and are not intended to be construed as containing or implying limitation of the disclosure to those embodiments. There are a plurality of advantages of the present disclosure arising from various features set forth in the description. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of the disclosure and associated methods that incorporate one or more of the features of the disclosure and fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims (28)

1. A beverage brewer comprising:

a body;

a water delivery system operatively associated with the brewer for delivering water for brewing;

a base positioned at a lower portion of the body;

an upper portion of the body positioned generally above the base;

a holder for containing a quantity of brewing substance;

a wall of the holder defining a cavity for receiving a quantity of brewing substance, the cavity being in communication with the water delivery system for receiving brewing water;

at least one drain in the holder for draining liquid from the cavity;

at least one flange extending from the holder;

at least one holder ramp extending from the holder;

retaining structures on upper portion for receiving the flange and ramp of the holder and retaining holder above the base.

2. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising:

a pair of flanges positioned on generally opposite sides of the holder;

a pair of holder ramps positioned on the holder generally between a front edge of the holder and the flange.

3. The beverage brewer ofclaim 2 further comprising a first pair of retaining ramps on the retaining structure, the first pair of ramps being generally spaced apart on opposite sides of the upper portion for receiving the holder there between, the first pair of ramps cooperatively engaging the corresponding holder ramps.

4. The beverage brewer ofclaim 3 further comprising a second pair of retaining ramps on the retaining structure, the second pair of ramps being positioned generally inwardly of the first pair of ramps, the first and second pairs of ramps being generally spaced apart on opposite sides of the upper portion for receiving the holder there between, the first pair of ramps cooperatively engaging the corresponding holder ramps and the second pair of ramps raising the holder for engagement against a portion of the water delivery system.

5. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising:

the holder sliding generally linearly into and out of engagement with the upper portion with the at least one flange and at least one ramp engaging corresponding retaining structures on the upper portion, the ramp engaging the retaining structures as the holder is moved into the upper portion to move the holder generally upwardly to engage the holder with a portion of the water delivery system.

6. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising:

a pair of flanges positioned on generally opposite sides of the holder;

a pair of holder ramps positioned on the holder generally between a front edge of the holder and the flange;

a first pair of ramps on the retaining structure;

a second pair of ramps on the retaining structure generally inwardly of the first pair of ramps, the first and second pairs of retaining ramps being generally spaced apart on opposite sides of the upper portion for receiving the holder there between, the first pair of ramps cooperatively engaging the corresponding holder ramps and the second pair of retainer ramps raising the holder for engagement against a portion of the water delivery system;

the holder sliding generally linearly into and out of engagement with the upper portion.

7. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising:

a sprayhead communicating with the water delivery system for distributing water to a brewing substance retained in the holder, the holder positioning the brewing substance in close proximity to the sprayhead.

8. The beverage brewer ofclaim 7 further comprising:

a gasket carried on the upper portion generally radially of the sprayhead, the gasket engaging an upper surface of the holder for sealing the brewer and holder against leakage of water during brewing.

9. The beverage brewer ofclaim 8 further comprising:

the gasket being an expandable gasket having an annular groove communicating with the cavity for receiving brewing water therein to facilitate sealing of the holder on the brewer.

10. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising: a floor positioned in the lower portion of the holder cavity bounded by the wall, a support structure retained against the wall and spaced above the floor.

11. The beverage brewer ofclaim 10, the support structure further comprising a foraminous material.

12. The beverage brewer ofclaim 13, the foraminous material support structure further comprising at least one of woven material, non-woven material, molded material and formed material.

13. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising: a floor positioned in the lower portion of the holder cavity bounded by the wall, a support structure extending from the wall and spaced above the floor.

14. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising: a floor positioned in the lower portion of the holder cavity bounded by the wall, at least one rib projecting upwardly from the floor, a support structure retained in the cavity overlying the at least one rib.

15. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising: a quantity of brewing substance in the form of a pod being used with the brewer, the pod having at least one layer of water permeable material covering a brewing substance.

16. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising:

a control assembly for controlling operation of the brewer.

17. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising:

a sensor carried on the brewer and coupled to the controller, the sensor positioned for detecting at least one of the presence and absence of the holder in relation to the upper portion.

18. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising:

the water delivery system being coupled to the controller for selectively controlling the water delivery system.

19. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising:

a sensor carried on the brewer and coupled to the controller, the sensor positioned for detecting at least one of the presence and absence of the holder in relation to the upper portion; and

the water delivery system being coupled to the controller for selectively controlling the water delivery system in response to the presence or absence of the holder.

20. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising: a grip defined on the holder generally along a front edge thereof for gripping the holder when removing it from the brewer.

21. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising: at least one leg extending from the holder for retaining the holder in an upright position when removed from the brewer and placed on a surface.

22. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising: a release assembly carried on the upper portion of the brewer for releasably engaging the holder on the upper portion.

23. The beverage brewer ofclaim 22 the release assembly further comprising a release button for operatively actuating the release assembly, the release button being located on the front of the upper portion above the holder.

24. The beverage brewer ofclaim 1 further comprising: a release assembly carried on the upper portion of the brewer for releasably engaging the holder on the upper portion;

a release button of the release assembly for operatively actuating the release assembly;

the holder defining a grip generally along a front edge thereof for gripping the holder when removing it from the brewer; and

the release button being located on the front of the upper portion above the grip of the holder.

25. In a beverage brewer for use with a beverage brewing pod, the beverage brewer having a body with a base and an upper portion positioned generally above the base, a pod holder for receiving a pod, a water delivery system for providing water for brewing, a retaining structure on the upper portion for retaining the pod holder in communication with the water delivery system, the pod holder comprising:

a wall defining a cavity for receiving a pod, the cavity being positionable in communication with the water delivery system for receiving brewing water;

a drain in the holder for draining liquid from the cavity;

at least one flange extending from the holder;

at least one ramp extending from the holder;

the ramp and flange being engagable with the retaining structure for retaining the pod holder on the brewer.

26. A method of brewing a beverage comprising:

providing a brewer;

providing a water delivery system operatively associated with the brewer for delivering water for brewing;

providing a retaining structures on the brewer having at least one ramp thereon;

providing a holder for containing a quantity of brewing substance, the holder having at least one flange extending from the holder and at least one holder ramp extending from the holder;

placing a quantity of brewing substance in the holder;

engaging the holder with the retaining structures;

generally linearly sliding the holder into the brewer for positioning the brewing substance in proximity relative to the water distribution assembly; and

continuing to slide the holder into engagement with the brewer to cause the ramp on the retaining structures to engage the ramp on the holder for raising the holder into communication with the water delivery system.

27. The method of brewing as inclaim 1 further comprising:

providing a pair of flanges positioned on generally opposite sides of the holder;

providing a pair of holder ramps positioned on the holder generally between a front edge of the holder and the flange;

providing a first pair of ramps on the retaining structure;

providing a second pair of ramps on the retaining structure generally inwardly of the first pair of ramps, the first and second pairs of retaining ramps being generally spaced apart on opposite sides of the upper portion for receiving the holder there between;

cooperatively engaging the first pair of ramps and the corresponding holder ramps and the second pair of retainer ramps; and

continuing engagement of the ramps to cause the holder to rise and engage against a portion of the water delivery system.

28. The method of brewing a beverage ofclaim 26 further comprising:

providing a pod of brewing substance; and

placing the pod in the holder for brewing.

Images